Court System of Pakistan - Appointments of Judges - Supreme Court of Pakistan

Supreme Court of Pakistan

Prior to 18th Constitutional Amendments, appointments to the Supreme Court of Pakistan were made by the President of Pakistan, on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. This system bred many allegations of favouritism. Many judges who were appointed were relatives of other Judges or Government officials. However, following the Supreme Court's judgement in the Al-Jehad Trust case, the government's role in judicial appointments was curtailed. Under the terms of this judgement, the Government and the President's office were bound to act on the recommendations of the Chief Justice of Pakistan. After the 18th Constitutional Amendment in May 2010, a new Judicial Commission and Parliamentary committee is established for appointments. The Judicial Commission consists of the Chief Justice of Pakistan,four senior judges of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General of Pakistan, and the Federal Justice Minister of Pakistan,one member from Pakistan Bar Council. A Parliamentary Committee oversees the recommendations of the Judicial Commission. At the Commission's first meeting, the Chief Justice and the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Pakistan are appointed Chairman and Secretary of the Judicial Commission, respectively.